VanEck has announced the expansion of its Australian team, introducing three new strategic roles at its Sydney office to bolster investment and client coverage capabilities.
Namely, Anna Wu has been appointed to the newly created role of senior associate, cross-asset investment research.
According to VanEck, Wu will bring additional expertise in multi-asset investment research and strategy and financial modelling.
Prior to joining the firm, she held senior consultant and investment associate positions at PwC and Macquarie Group, with a focus on banking and capital markets and investment strategy.
VanEck’s client services capabilities have also been strengthened with the creation of two new positions. Claudia Catalanotto is now client solutions executive and Matthew Sullivan has joined the team as business development associate.
Formerly an M&A specialist at EY, Sullivan will focus on supporting VanEck’s growing client base in NSW, Western Australia and Victoria.
Commenting on the appointments, VanEck’s APAC chief executive and managing director, Arian Neiron, said: “The Australian ETF industry experienced record net flows last year, and we anticipate this record will be surpassed in 2025 with wealth managers increasingly adopting ETFs as the preferred building blocks for portfolio construction.”
“The ability to achieve targeted investment outcomes and access systematic, research-backed strategies with relatively low fees and ease of accessibility on exchange is driving this momentum, making ETFs the go-to option for investors and advisers alike.”
According to Neiron, the local exchange-traded fund (ETF) market, which is on track to surpass $300 billion in size by year-end, will see 2025 shape up to be a “defining” moment for the industry.
“Advancements in systematic investing and the integration of artificial intelligence are set to redefine the ETF landscape, creating new opportunities for investors.”
“Expanding the team is indicative of our commitment to being at the forefront of investment innovation and ensuring our capabilities, products, services and insights remain best in class for Australian investors,” the CEO said.
Last month, the fund manager launched the VanEck Australian Long Short Complex ETF (ASX: ALFA) on the ASX, marking a first for the exchange.
The actively managed ETF aims to outperform the S&P/ASX 200 by using advanced technology and data science to take tactical long and short positions, with a high-conviction, unconstrained strategy designed for medium to long-term gains, VanEck said in a statement on Monday.
